Vending machine for greeting cards



June 12, 1951 PRO 2,556,338

VENDING MACHINE FOR GREETING CARDS Filed July 29, l946 'TSheets-Sheet lINVENTOR. George M. Pro

June 12, 1951 I 0 2,556,338

VENDING MACHINE FOR GREETING CARDS Filed July 29, 1946 7 I 7Sheets-Sheet 2 56/ Ml 72a 226 7 74a 750] I LCM 744 I Z j- 2 7 2/7.} 4.64INVENTOR.

George M Pro June 12, 1951 M 0 2,556,338

VENDING MACHINE FOR GREETING CARDS Filed July 29, 1946 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3ENTOR.

June 12, 1951 PRO 2,556,338

I VENDING MACHINE FOR GREETING CARDS v Filed July 29, 1946 7Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR. ea/ye M Pro June 12, 1951 G, M, PRO 2,556,338

VENDING MACHINE FOR GREETING CARDS Filed July 29, 1946 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR, (Q/ye M PM June 12, 1951 G. M. PRO 2,556,338

VENDING MACHINE FOR GREETING CARDS Filed July 29, 1946 v Sheets-Sheet aJune 12, 1951 G, M PRO 2,556,338

' VENDING MACHINE FOR GREETING CARDS Filed July 29, 1946 '7 She ets-Sheet 7 @9 I mmvron eo ye M Pro iatented june 12, 1951 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE George M. Pro, Johnson County, Kans.

Application July 29, 1946, Serial No. 686,895

This invention relates to dispensing machines for articles ofmerchanidse, and particularly to vending machines for planar objectssuch as greeting cards or the like, and has for its primary object theprovision of automatic mechanism designed to vend cards of various anddifferent characteristics, which mechanism is controlled in itsoperation by the provision of a specially formed selective assemblyoperable by the customer, and by the provision of a novelcoin-controlled apparatus permitting the accommodation by the machine ofcards covering a large price range.

An important object of this invention is to provide a machine forvending greeting cards, which machine includes a plurality of individualholders for the cards to be vended, so arranged and designed to presentthe cards for removal therefrom when the machine is placed in operation,and the provision of mechanism capable of removing a card from aselected holder upon insertion of the proper coin or coins and theactuation of a designated push button by the customer, which mechanismwill thereupon deliver the removed card to within reach of thepurchaser.

This invention has for a yet further object to provide in a machine ofthe aforesaid character, an unique card selection assembly characterizedby a display rack for presenting facsimiles of the vendable cards withinthe cabinet of machine, wherein each of said facsimiles is mounted topermit movement thereof by the customer to make a selection, and havingin addition parts controlled by the predetermined positioning of theselected facsimile for setting the automatic vending mechanism of themachine to dispense a card simulating that selected by the customer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a card removing assemblymounted on a carriage that reciprocates horizontally on a verticallyreciprocating platform, all for the purpose of positioning the saidassembly to permit removal of a card from one of a number of holderstherefor, and the provision of a common actuating means for theplatform, the carriage and the removing assembly to operate these partsin timed relation, to remove a card from its holder, move the same to adischarge opening and dump the card for accessibility to the customerduring each complete cycle of operation of the machine.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a coin-controlledapparatus for setting the aforementioned card removing assembly prior toits being placed in operation, which apparatus is designed toaccommodate coins of a number of '24 Claims. (01. 312-52) denominationsand all combinations of such coins totalling a plurality of prices forthe cards vended by the machine.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a machine forvending greeting cards having a basket pivotally mounted on areciprocable carriage, which basket includes an arm adapted to extendinto one of the above mentioned card holders, engage a card, and depositthe same in the basket as the arm snaps back into position within theconfines of the basket, and additionally the provision of means to movethe basket to a position permitting removal of cards. from holders oneither of two sides within the cabinet, all of which operation isdependent upon which card is selected by the customer as he thumbsthrough the facsimiles thereof mounted on one face of the machine.

An important aim of this invention i to provide in a vending machine forgreeting cards a coin-controlled apparatus having means for renderingthe operation of the machine ineffective except upon insertion of theproper amount of money in the form of coins, which means includes achamber for maintaining the inserted coins in superimposed, edge-to-edgeposition in segregated compartments, and the inclusion of a settingmechanism having a plurality of rods movable to and from respectiveengagement with one face of the coins that have been inserted, whereuponthe vending machine is operable, but only if certain rods engage theproper coins in accordance with the designated price of the carddesired.

Another aim of this invention is to provide a vending machine forgreeting cards having a plurality of holders for cards of differingprices and characteristics, novel structure for removing a card from aselected holder, and a platform and carriage that moves to the selectedholder upon being controlled by the manual manipulation of the aforesaiddisplay assembly to a set position and the actuation of a push buttonwhereupon a card will be removed only if the proper coin or coins havebeen deposited in accordance with the portion of the display assemblythat has been manipulated.

This invention embodies a large number of minor aims and novel features,many of which form a part of the primary objects above set down, all ofWhich are so interrelated and dependent one on another that theirappearance can only be made clear during the course of the followingspecification, referring to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a machine for vending greetingcards made in accordance with my invention, parts being broken away toillustrate the internal structure of the cabinet.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational View with the shell forming the walls ofthe cabinet entirely removed to illustrate the arrangement of many ofthe parts of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line III- III ofFig. 2 showing the top of the platform when the same is near the bottomof its path of travel.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line IV--IV ofFig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of the card removing assembly showingthe sameentirely removed from the cabinet.

Fig. 5a is an enlarged, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on lineVa--Va of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. .7 is a fragmentary view showing the side opposite to thatillustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary central sectional view through a portion of theassembly illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the card removing arm entirely removedfrom the card removing assembly.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged central sectional view through the card displayand selection assembly.

Fig. 11 is a detailed perspective view of one of the stops forming apart of the display assembly.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of one of the card holders of thedisplay assembly.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of the card holders illustrating the samelooking into the cabinet when the walls thereof are removed.

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view taken on line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an inside View looking through the cabinet framework in theopposite direction from Fig. 13 showing the manner of disposing theclips over indicia provided for each holder.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken on line XVIXVI of Fig. 13.

Fig. 1'7 is a diagram associated with parts of the coin-controlledassembly illustrating schematically the operation of the said assembly.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the coin controlled assembly per se.

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view taken on line XIX-XIX of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a wiring diagram illustrating the manner of supplying currentto the electrically operated apparatus forming a part of the machine.

Many types of vending machines have been developed for vending planarobjects of one nature or another, but none apparently have had practicaluse in the field of merchandising greeting cards. As is well known,these cards are made available to the public in a large variety ofdiffering sizes, shapes and forms, and also covering a pricerange'usually ranging from five cents to twenty-five cents depending onits style, cost of manufacture, and other factors.

Machines conventionally employed for vending only one type of card orother article, or cards of equal price are therefore undesirable in thisart because of the necessity of utilizing a plurality of such machinesto cover the selection within a given retail store.

With this important objection in mind, a large number of considerationsmust be kept before the designer, and such a machine must be capable ofaccommodating virtually all classes of cards,

both in characteristics and in price, and must be automatically operablewithout the attention of a store clerk except for periodic refilling andadjustment.

Such a machine is present in the instant invention and includes also acoin-controlled assembly particularly adapted for use with a vendingmachine capable cf handling many types of cards, in that any combinationof coins totalling the price of the card selected will serve to operatethe machines thereby lessening the burden of making change by thecashiers in the store.

Like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.A cabinet, generally designated by the numeral 35, provided for housingthe greater part of the automatic vending mechanism of my invention, hasa normally front section 32 and a rear section 34, which sections arehinged together as at 3i? to permit swinging the section 32 to an openposition for access to the inside of the cabinet. The inner walls ofeach of these sectionsilZ and 34 carry a plurality of card holders 38,illustrated in detail in Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive, arranged in vertical,side-by-side series in such a manner as to present aligned, horizontalrows of holders throughout the entire height of each of said innerwalls.

The card holders are substantially-U-shaped and have an upturned portion'49 at the bight thereof against which the normally lowermost edge ofcards :42 rest when stacked thereon in superimposed relation as is clearin Fig. 14, and each of these holders 38 is disposed outwardlyand on anincline for purposes hereinafter more fully explained.

Mounted within the cabinet 30 for vertical reciprocation in a pair ofU-shaped, upright tracks 5 and 45 fixed to the section 34, is ahorizontally disposed, relatively narrow platform 48. Supportingframework 5%, including a pair of adjustable arms 52, for the platform48, carries a pair of rollers 54 at each end thereof to ride in thetracks 44 and 46 respectively as the said platform 4-8 moves along itsvertical path of travel. The normal starting position for the platform48 is at the uppermost ends of the tracks 44 and 46 and it is at thisposition that the platform 48 is maintained when the machine is in theinoperative condition. Structure hereinafter described limits thevertical movement of this platform 48 to anyone of a plurality ofpredetermined positions along its entire path of travel from its saidstarting position to the lowermost row of horizontal card holders 38.

A pair of substantially parallel, U-shaped, upturned flanges 56 alongeach edge of the platform 48 and integral therewith, presents channeledtracks in which four wheels 58 of a carriage to travel as the latterreciprocates horizontally on the platform clearly illustrated in Fig. 5.Except for the more detailed assembly carried thereby, this carriage 5i;consists simply of a plate-like framework 62 upon the four cornerswhereof, the wheels 58 are rotatably mounted.

Mounted directly upon and movable with the carriage 6% is an assemblybroadly designated by the numeral 64, having parts adapted to remove acard 42 from its holder 33 in a manner presently to be described. Fhiscard removing assembly 64 comprises generally, a tubular member 66mounted directly on the plate 62 of the carriage 60 as at 68; a secondtubular member H1 pivotally disposed within the hollow portion of themember 66 and having an arm .7 2 fixed at the lower end thereof andextending radially therefrom; and a third tubular member I4 intelescoping relation and rotatably mounted over the member 66.

A U-shaped yoke I6, integral with the member 10, extends upwardlytherefrom and pivotally carries a basket I8 comprising a pair of spacedapart, substantially parallel side walls 80 and 82 and a bottom wall ortray 64.

A diagonally disposed slot 86 is provided in the wall 80 of the basketIS in which one end of an L-shaped arm 83 rides in its movement to andfrom a card holder 36. Rotatable with and mounted directly on the memberI4 through the medium of supporting arms 90, is a spiral cam 62 havingits ends joined by a vertical piece 94.

The motivating force for the various movements of all the parts justdescribed with respect to the card removing assembly 64, is suppliedthrough a single sprocket wheel 96 rotatably mounted on a pin 98 fixedto the member 66. This sprocket wheel 96 has a bevel gear I06 on oneface thereof and integral therewith, in mesh with a pinion I02 that is apart of the member I4. Thus, the rotation of the sprocket wheel 96imparts rotary motion to the member I4 and the spiral cam 62 mountedthereon.

This sprocket wheel 96 is engaged and rotated by an endless chain I04,which chain I04 also interconnects the platform 48 and the carriage 60for imparting the respective reciprocating motions to the latter twoelements in timed relation with the rotation of the sprocket wheel 96and the relative movements of all the parts of the assembly 64. Thisinterconnection is accomplished by the disposition of the chain I04 inthe following manner:

From the sprocket wheel 96, the chain I04 passes over an idler pulleyI06 mounted on an adjustable bearing support I08 carried on the upperface of the platform 48 near the free end thereof. Thence the chain I 04returns along the platform 48 and passes over an idler I I0 mounted onthe end of the platform adjacent to its support 50, to pass downwardlyand over a third idler I I2 fixed to the framework of the section 34constituting its bottom wall. From the idler I I2, the chain I04 isdirected upwardly to be threaded over a sprocket wheel H4 disposed nearthe top of the section 34, and fixed to a shaft H6 journaled in asuitable bracket mounted on section 34. Another idler pulley I20 isrotatably mounted in a bracket I22 on the platform 48 to receive thechain I04 as it proceeds from the wheel H4 and thence to pass under andin engagement with the sprocket wheel 96, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and4. The endless chain I04 is driven by a reversible motor I24 mounted forrotating the shaft H6 through the medium of a belt I25 and a pulley I26on the shaft H6, as shown in Fig. 2.

One leg I28 of the yoke I6 adjacent to the wall 80, carries a plungerI30, dovetailed for vertical reciprocation in the inner face thereof,and a roller I32 mounted on the lower end of the plunger I30 ismaintained against the cam 92 by a spring I34 fixed at one end to theplunger I30 near the roller I32 and at the other end to the leg I28 nearthe upper end thereof.

Rotation of the cam 92 therefore, pulls the plunger I30 downwardly untilthe cam 92 nears a complete revolution, at which time the roller I32follows the vertical piece 94 and the plunger 530 snaps back to itsstartin position by the action of the spring I34.

The plunger I30 extends laterally and upwardly near its upper end topresent a portion I36 having a slot I38 formed therein, and atriangular-shaped member I40 is connected to the portion I36 by a pinand roller assembly I42 fixed to the member I40 near its normallyuppermost corner, which pin I42 projects through the slot I38 forsliding movement therein.

Each leg of the yoke I6, including the leg I28, is L-shaped near itsupper end to present a pair of opposed laterally projecting arms I44 andI46, each being perforated near the free end to receive a shaft I48 thatis journaled through the walls 80 and 82 to pivotally mount the basketI8 in an off-center manner as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Thesewalls 80 and 82 are connected by a sleeve I50 that telescopes the shaftI48 and a second sleeve I52 that carries a sprin I54, both of whichsleeves are rigid to the walls 80 and 82 respectively.

A pin I56 passes through the sleeve I52 and extends beyond the walls 80and 82 and is fixed to the member I40 near one corner thereof. Thespring I54 has one end thereof hooked over the upper edge of the wall 02and the other end hooked under the member I40 to maintain the oppositecorner thereof normally upwardly.

This said opposite corner of the member I40 is slotted as at I58 toreceive the free end of a leg I60 of the arm 68 for sliding and pivotalmovement therein. A block I62 is pivotally mounted on this leg I60 anddisposed to reciprocate in the slot 86 of the wall 80.

Since the arm 86 is thus free to pivot in the block I62, a fiat springI64 fixed to the leg I60 and provided with a laterally projecting tipI66 is disposed with the tip I66 projecting into the slot 66 to slidealong the lowermost longitudinal edge thereof for normally holding thearm 88 in a position where a stretch I68 thereof is in a planesubstantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the slot 66.

The downward movement of the plunger I30 and of the portion I36 thereofwill swing the member I40 downwardly on the pivot pin I56, which in turnslides the block I62 downwardly in the slot 86. With the tip I66 of thespring I64 sliding along the slot 86, the arm 60 will thus be moveddownwardly and outwardly whereby the stretch I68 thereof will projectbeyond the confines of the basket '58. As the plunger I30 starts itsdownward movement, the first action to take place is for the basket I0to swing in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 5, on itspivot I48 until the jaws I6! on one edge of each of the walls 80 and 82come into contact with a holder 38. When this engagement takes place,the block I62 leaves the upper end of the slot 86 to move the arm I68 insubstantially the same direction of travel as that of the basket I8.

A plunger rod I10 is slidably mounted in a tubular member I74 that isoffset from the wall 80 as shown in Fig. 6 and is pivotally mountedthereto by a bolt II6 having a spring washer I 18 to maintain arelatively tight fit at the point of pivot.

The tubular member I14 has a slot I83 near the bolt I16 in each sidethereof, which slots are in alignment and a pin I82 passes through theseestates 7 The stud 86 :is offset from a straight line between theout-turned end of the pm 232 and its point of pivot to present ancit-center action when the pin I22 is swung in the plunger rod H0.

A mercury switch Hi8 fixed to the inner end of the pin in 182 iselectrically connected to the motor i2 3 to reverse the same when in aclosed position. A pair of leaf springs I92 and I94 is mountedrespectively to the opposed, upper and lower edges of the switch I92 andextends therefrom in opposite directions. These springs I92 and 192 areeach mounted respectively at one end thereof opposite to the end thatextends beyond switch 599. In other words, each spring extends theentire length of the switch 1% and extends a distance therebeyond.

The plunger rod H5 is normally maintained outwardiy in the member El iby the action of a spring 1% to a point where the pin I82 is against oneend of the slots I32, which position disposes the spring H92 in the pathof travel of an outwardly projecting L-shaped extension 252 on the blockE82. The downward movement of the block 5%2 would therefore, bring theextension 2253 in contact with the spring i942 to close the switch 595;and reverse the motor !2-3. As the extension 222 continues downwardly,it slips off the free end of the spring 592, and on return movementflexes the spring 192 until it again slips off the free end thereofwithout throwing the switch 25 to open position.

The action described however, occurs only when the customer fails todeposit the amount of money necessary to obtain the chosen card, all ashereinafter more fully explained. Normally, the plunger HE is designedto contact a cli H2, which in turn will slide the plunger we inwardlywithin the member 22 to move the spring I92 out of the path of travel ofthe extension 292. It is desired therefore, to close the switch ltdafter a card 42 has been removed from its holder 38 and deposited on thetray 64. An outwardly projecting stud I98 on the member hi8 near theslot i53 is provided to move downwardly therewith, fiex the spring I94,and pass thereby on its downward movement. On its return, upwardmovement it will cont ct this spring we to close the switch I andthereby reverse the motor 24. The switch at is opened as the carriageapproaches its original starting position by the engagement of pin E82with a cam block E ii, shown only in Fig. 2, attached to the framesection This opening of switch it?! however, does not reverse thedirection of travel of the motor 524 at this point however because of arelay provided in the electrical circuit to maintain a closed circuit,as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

The operation of all the movable parts heretofore explained iscontrolled by the action of the customer through the medium 01 twoassemblies, one of which is a card selection assembly, broadlydesignated by the numeral 2&2, and a coin controlled mechanism 224,detailed in Fig. 10 and Figs. 17, 18 and 19 respectively.

The assembly 262, mounted directly on the front section 32 of thecabinet as shown in Fig. 2, includes a number of rows of display cardholders similar to the conventional type of rack used to present cardsfor inspection by the pin-chasing public in order that they may choosefrom a number of cards, the ones desired. These rows 266, shown in partin Fig. l are in alignment across 8 the'frontofthe cabinet 30 anddisposedat aconvenient angle as is clear in Fig. 10.

Each of the rows 206 has suitable frame work to support a plurality ofdisplay card holders, which holders comprise a plate 2), having anopening near the bo ttom thereof and a channeled member '2 l2 thatcarries the plate 2 l 0. The mem bers 212 each have a pin 2 Hitherethrough which pin extends beyond each end of the member 212 and ispivotally mounted between spaced apart, parallel, frame members 2I6. Arod '2I8, removable when the section 32 is in an open position, passesthrough a hole 220 in frame piece 222 of the section 32, through theopenings in the plates 2 l 9 and into a hole 224 in frame 226 of thesection 32. Each of the plates 210 has a display card suitably fixed toits outermost face, which card's differ insize, shape and description asis jcusto mary in the trade, and each is marked toindicate its cost toadvise the customer the amount of money necessary to be deposited in themachine. The rod 2l8 prevents removal of the plates 2H] and permitschange or rearrangement as necessary when new supplies of the cards 42are placed in the holders 38. p

A reciprocable bar 228, disposed along one side of the holders 2:6 insubstantial parallelism to the frame members 2E6, is carried by a pairof legs 23% and 232, which are pivotally mounted thereon as at 235 and232 respectively. An extension 2-38 fixed to the frame piece 226pivotally mounts the leg 23% as at 240 and an extension 242 fixed to theframe piece 222 pivotally mounts the leg 232 as at 243. Thus it is clearthat as the lower end of the bar 228 is moved to a n d from the framepiece 228, the upper edge thereof also movestoward and from the upperedge of the spaced-apart frame members 2 l 6. There is a bar 228 mountedin like manner along each row 206 of display card holders 2 I hand acoilspring (not shown) preferably mounted at the pivotal point 242 yieldablymaintains the bar 228 at one end of its path oftravel where thelowermost end thereof is adjacent the frame piece 226. v, V

Integral with the bar 222 and extending upwardly therefrom near itsuppermost endis a handle: 245 adjacent to and disposed substantiallyparallel to the framepiece 222. Apush button 248, fixed to the handle246 at its uppermost end, extends outwardly to be within reach and manipulable bya prospective customer. Pushing the button 248 inwardly movesthe handle 2'46 toward the frame piece 222 and imparts the simultaneousmovements just described to the bar 228 I A lateral extension 259 on thelowermostedge of the bar 223 engages a rod 252 disposed trans-1 ve'rselyacross he entire width of the section" 32 below the bars 223. This rod252 is joined to another rod 254, journaled in the extensions 242,insubstantial parallelism by a number of links 256. Movement of thehandle 246 toward frame 222 will force the rod 252 upwardly along theextension 2% to close a switch 258, fixed to the frame 222 near one endof the rod 252. The closing of this switch 258 completes the'electricalcircuit supplying energy to the motor [24 as hereinafter explained,which in turn energizes a solenoid 260 onthe frame 222 adjacent to theswitch 258, all as shown in Fig. 1. p

The solenoid 260 is operably connected to the rod 252 by a yoke 262 tohold this rod in its uppermost position when the solenoid is energized,and when in that position, the rod 252 is engaged by a shoulder 264formed on the lowermost edge of the bar 228' adjacent to the extension250. This 9 I engagement maintains the handle 246 and the bar 228 in theoperative position just described while the machine is in operation andafter the user removes his hand from the button 248.

A secondary bar 266 is mounted on the bar 228 in such manner as to bemovable therewith and also to have a separate, individual movementsimilar to that of the bar 228 and relative to the latter. An L-shapedlink 268 is pivotally fixed to the secondary bar 266 as at 210 and tothe bar 228 as at 212. And, a substantially triangular link 274 ismounted for pivotal movement on the secondary bar 266 as at 216 andpivotally attached to the bar 228 as at 218. Thus, the secondary bar 266is movable on the bar 228 to and from a position bringing its uppermostedge adjacent to the uppermost edge of the bar 228.

A substantially rectangular-shaped member 280 carries a pair of U-shapedhooks 236 and 298. Hook 238 overlaps and slides along the upper edge ofthe bar 228 at the uppermost end of the member 280, and the hook 296normally overlaps and slides along the upper edge of the secondary bar266 at the lowermost end of the member 280.

A stud 284 projects outwardly from one face of the member 280 and isrigid thereto to slide in an elongated, substantially arcuate slot 266provided in an arm 288, fixed to a tubular shaft 290 as at 292.

This shaft 290 extends transversely acrossthe section 32 in the samemanner as the rods 252 and 254 and is journaled in brackets 234 fixed tothe frame piece 222. Swinging movement of this arm 288 therefore,imparts reciprocating motion to the member 280 as it slides on the bars228 and 266.

Each of the pins 2I4 is offset at one end thereof as shown in Figs. 11and 12 and carries a stop 300 extending beyond the offset portion. Whenthe assembly is placed in operation by the customer, one of these stops306 is engaged by either the hook 296 or 298, depending upon thepredetermined positioning of the plates 2l0 and on the respective andrelative movements of the bars 228 and 266.

When the plates 2I6 are disposed as indicated 'on the right looking atFig. 10, the stops 300 are moved out of the path of travel of the hook298 but when the plates 2l0 are moved to the position of the threeplates indicated in Fig. 10 whereby the pin 2M is turned to move thestops 30 thereon, the stop 300 on the plate designated by the numeral302 will be in position to be contacted by the hook 298 and thereby stopthe downward movement of the member 280 toward the frame 226. Althoughthe stops 300 on all the plates below the plate 302 will be turned tothe contactin positions, none will be engaged by the hook 296 because ofits normally being held out of engagement above these stops by thesecondary bar 266.

The plurality of rows 206 of display card holders having the plates 2l0as a part thereof are operably divided into an upper and lower zone. Theupper zone includes all the upper half of the plates 2I0 of all the rows266, and the lower zone includes the remaining plates, or the lower halfof the plates 2I0 of all the rows 206. And the upper zone correspondsoperably with the plurality of card holders 68 disposed on the innerwall of section 32, while the lower zone corresponds to the card holders38 on the inner wall of the section 34.

Therefore, when a card is selected by the customer as he thumbs throughthe holders 2l0,

the lower zone, hook 296 comes into operation to engage one of the stops300. It is notable that although the card facing the customer as at 364is the one chosen, it is the plate 302 immediately below the card 304that contains the stop 300 to be engaged by hooks 296 or 298 to set thehereinafter mechanism for controlling the movement of part of themechanism driven by the motor I24.

The uppermost plate 2 I 0 only of the lower zone just explained, has itsstop 300 extended slightly beyond the outermost ends of the other stops300. For purposes of clarity, this stop is designated by the numeral336. When a card is selected on the plate 2 I6 having this stop 306 orany other plate 2l0 therebelow, whereby all the plates 2l0 above theselected card are tilted toward the frame 222, the stop 306 will beturned to a position engag ing a contoured edge 308 of the link 214 asshown by the arrow in Fig. 10. This established contact will pull thesecondary bar 266 downwardly and away from the frame 226, as the arm 288is moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 10.

As the upper edge of the secondary bar 266 approaches the upper edge ofthe bar 228, the hook 266 will move downwardly to ride on the upper edgeof the bar 228 whereby the hook 296 is in position to be engaged by astop 300 immediately below the plate containing the card selected. Aspring 309 mounted on pivot 218 and having one leg thereof fixed to thelower edge of the link 2'14 maintains the secondary bar 266 in aposition Where the hook 296 is normally raised above the upper edge ofthe bar 228.

The card selection assembly 202 just described is in part electricallyand in part mechanically connected to the mechanism previouslydescribed, including the platform 48, the carriage 60, the assembly 64and all the movable parts associated therewith.

The electrical connection is established through the medium of a shaft3I0 journaled in the several extensions 238 on the frame 226. A finger3| 2 underlies each row 206 and is mounted on the shaft as clearly shownin Fig. 10, and held in position by a set screw 3M. These fingers 3I2are disposed so as to be contacted by thefree end of the L-shaped link268 when a card is selected in the lower zone of the plates 210, andthus causing the shaft 3| 0 to be turned in the extensions 238.

A finger (not'shown) similar to the fingers 3I2, rigid to the shaft 3 I0near one end thereof is disposed to close a switch 3I6 (shown only inthe wirin diagram of Fig. 20) which switch is similar to a switch 3I8shown mounted on the extensions 238 in Fig. 10.

In the same circuit with the switch 3! 6 is a solenoid 820 mounted on abracket 322 fixed to the framework 62 of the carriage 60. The core ofthis solenoid 320 is disposed to attract a trigger 324 pivotally mountedon the bracket 322, and yieldably held in position to lock the arm 12against counter-clockwise movement, looking at Fig. 3, by a spring 328.The arm 12 and conse: quently the basket 18 is limited to a degree.rotation by screws 326 and 330 mounted in diametrically opposedrelation immediately below the member 66.

Inasmuch as the spring I34 maintains the trigger 324 is released, untilthe arm 12 strikes- 1 l thescrew 330, thenthe cam 92 starts to rotateas. previously explained. With basket 18 so turned; the arm 88 will bein position to'remove cards from a holder 3e disposed on the section32*. which corresponds to the lower zone'of cards onidisplay in the rows2%.

Another electrical connection is established through the normallyopenswitches 318, one of which is disposed below each of the rows 266'and mounted on the extension" 238; This switch is closedby thelink 235which extendsbeyond its pivotal: point-1340: Movement of the handle 246towardtheframe 222 causes the extended portionofthe link-23il-to moveaway from the switch 3;l'8 to. close the same.

A plurality-of solenoids-332 correspond to the plurality'of switches318* and the closing of a switch 3l-8 energizes its solenoid 332. Eachrow 206. of-displaycard holders 22%] corresponds to oneof the verticalseries of card holders 58.- Thus t itis-necessary to limit thehorizontal movement ofthe carriage-fiilso it will be stopped to disposethe arm: 88- in alignment with thevertical series of holders 38corresponding to the row'206- of holders 2! from which a card isstlectedt,

There-fore, the-solenoids 3.32 are disposed along the. under face: ofthe platform 48 and an arm 334.:connected to the core of the solenoid332 extends. upwardly through openings 3313 in the platformAB. A. block.338. mounted on thefree end oft-the.- arm 334- is pivotally mountedbetween spacedaparttbrackets 34c extending upwardly from the'bottom. ofthe platform 43.

When. one of the switches. 343 is closed, its

corresponding solenoid 332' will be, energized, p

causing. theblock 3.3.8.. to be movedinto the path of travel. of. the...carriage Bil and stop further movement, of the. samewhenthe framework 62thereof; strikes the. block 338.

The,mechanical interconnection between the selection assembly 202 andthe. platform 48inc1udes.-a,vertical column 342. pivotally mounted ateach. endthereof in suitable bearings. carried by, the framework of thesection 34. as illustrated in;Fig. 2, having a plurality of lugs 344spirally mounted. thereon. A. coil spring 346 wrapped aroundland fixedto the column342 and, having one end thereof. fixed toabracket (notshown) yieldably, maintains the column. 342-. at one end of? its path ofrotation. A. grooved. sheave 353 k fixeditothecolumn 3&2 has one-end-ofa cable 352 fixed thereto while the otherend of the cable 352.1sfixed tothe free end of one leg: of an. L-shaped-arm 354 that is pivotallymounted as.-at.356.to.anextendedportion 358 .of the fram work of thesection 34.

The.- other leg of the arm 354 ext-ends to be in engagement with thefree end of a linkiiaifigpivotally mounted asat. 35-2 to a frame member364 onrthe frame. pieces 226 and 222" of the sec-- tion 32.. Arod 35,6.interconnects the link Slit? and a link 368 fixedtto one, end of theshaft 290, and ispivot'ally fixed to. each of these links. A spring 31!]having one end fixed to 'theframe 22 2 and the other end. attached tothe link- 268; yieldablyj maintains the link seem engagement'with' the.arm 354.

A-.ho1low tube 312 vertically fixed within thesection 3.4, slidablycarries a weight tltthat is slightly lighter than the total weight ofthe platform 48 and the parts carried thereby; which weight is connectedto the platform 43 through themedium of a cable 3'55 fixed at one end totheweight'3i4'. This cable 3.76 extends upwardly through. the; tube: 312and passes over an idler 12 pulley 318 near. the top of the section. 341and thence-downwardly to have its oppositeendfixed to= the platform 48;as at 380;

The tube2'3'l2 has a slot 382 formed in one-side near itszlowermosteendto slidably carry an L- shaped member'384that has thefree-end of one legfixed. to the arm 354 as at 386 and the other legextending into the tube312 to be directly below the weight 314'.

AsT-the platform- 48 trave1s downwardly withinits guide tracks44, theweight 374 movesupwardlywithin the tube 3'52, allowing the member 384.to slide upwardlywvithin the slot 3.82 by the action-of the spring 346turning the-column 342*. Such action causes the cable-352 to wrap aroundthe sheave 359 and through the arm 354; link 3611, rod 366 and link 3%,cause the turning of theshaftifill to swing the arm 238 until a stop 3%is. reached by'the hooks 238 or 298. It is clear therefore. that thecolumn 342 is movable toasmanydiiferent positions as there are stops300. inlonerow 2950f plates 218-. In other-words; each lug. 344corresponds to a certain stop300 in each .row. 20.6, which stops 3%. arein alignmenttransversely across the front of the machine between the twooutermost frame membersllfi.

The lugs 344 are provided'to limit the movement of. the platform.43..and to stop the same at a number of predetermined positions alongits verticalpath of travel, when one of the lugs 344 is turned. intothe. path of travel of the plat-.- form 48.

The. means on the platform 48 to contact the lugs344 consists of a pin388. slidably mounted in, an opening provided in one of the'spacedapartbrackets I22 on the platform 43. This pin 388 has an extension 3% toengage one of. the lugs 344 that is. turned in its path of travel, asindicated, in Fig. 3. This pin 38% extends below the platform 48, and,has an arm 3S2. pivotally and slidably fixed. thereto, which arm 392 ispivotally mounted. as at. 394 to a bracket 3% extending below thebottom. wall. of, the plat.- form 48.

A spring 398mounted on the pivotal-point 394 is fixed to the arm 3,92.and extends upwardly through a slot 40f provided in.- the platform 48.This spring 398 is normally intheposition shown in Fig. 4 and limitsdownward movement of pin 388' within its opening in. bracket I22. As theplatform 48 moves downwardly, offset portion 396' of pin. 388.. strikesone of the lugs. 344v and thespring 398 absorbs the shockthat wouldnormally be. present because of. the weight of the platform 48.. The,spring 398. performs anv addi- V tional functionin that it is disposedin the path 48, the, carriage 6B is started in its movement ontheplatform 48. As the carriage 66 returnsto its starting position which isadjacent the framework 5.0, it will strike the spring 398, the shockwill be absorbed, and the platform 48 will bevstarted in its upwardmovement toward its.

starting position which is near the top of thesection 34.

A U-shaped extension 432, mounted on the plate 62 of the carriage 6Uprojects outwardly therefrom-and carries a roller 484 in its free endas. shown in Figs. and 5. As the carriage 60 moves toward the frame 59,the roller comes into contact with a frame member 406 of the sec-- tion34 and as the platform 48 moves upwardly, this roller 4E4 travels alongthe frame member 496 until it, reaches-the uppermost end thereof,

at which point the frame member 4116 is offset as at 448. The carriage60 at this point moves still closer to the frame 50 and the roller 404moves along the offset portion 408 to come into contact with a dog 410,pivotally mounted as at 510 to an ear 4I2. This ear 4| 2 is acontinuation of the frame member 446 and is provided to dump the tray 84in a manner presently to be explained.

When the machine is first placed in operation, the first action thatmust necessarily take place as the chain I44 is actuated by the motorI24 is the outward travel of the carriage 65 whereby the roller 444moves off the offset portion 408 to permit the platform 48 to commenceits downward travel. In the event that solenoid 329 has released the arm12 to permit the 180 rotation of the basket l8 as previously explained,means must be provided to prevent such rotation during the initialmovement of the carriage 64. A bar 414 pivotally mounted as at 415 to abracket 4I8 extending below the platform 48 extends upwardly through aslot 420 formed in the platform 48. A spring 422 on the pivotal point4|6 has one leg hooked over the bar 414 and the other leg hooked overthe bracket 4| 8 to normally maintain the bar 4H4 against the end of theslot 420 nearest the free end of the platform 48. A stud 424 projectslaterally from the free end of the bar M4 and is disposed in the path oftravel of the sprocket wheel 96 to be engaged by the same when thecarriage 60 moves toward the frame 50. As the carriage 60 starts itsinitial movement, the spring 422 holds the stud 424 against the sprocketwheel 96 and prevents its rotation. The tight engagement between theroller I32 and the cam 92 prevents rotation of the sprocket wheel 96except for the 180.movement of arm 12 and its associated parts, whilethe platform 48 moves downwardly and while the carriage '60 con tinuesits horizontal movement as hereinbefore explained.

As a preface to the explanation of the coin controlled mechanism 204, itis necessary to point out the function of the clips Il'2. As noted inFig. 15. the legends 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 are stamped or otherwiseafiixed to the framework supporting the card holders 38 beside eachholder. These legend numerals represent the five different priced cardsthat this machine is designed to vend. And each holder 38 is numbered asindicated in Fig. 14, as indicated by the numerals 62, 63, 64, 65 and66. These numerals correspond to the plates 2 I having display cardsthereon which are similarly numbered as indicated in Fig. 12 by thelegend 62. Thus, if a display card costing five cents (5a?) is fixed tothe plate 214 having numeral 62 thereon, then the holder 38 havingnumeral 62 thereon, will be filled with cards of the five cent (53)character that are identical with the card on display. When this isdone, the next step is to position a clip l'l2 over the numeral 5, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 15 and it is the exact positioning of thisclip I12 that determines whether or not a card will be vended to thecustomer.

In other words, the plunger H5 must contact a clip H2. If no clip ispresent, or if the plunger H0 is not in alignment to make this contactpossible, then the switch I95 will be actuated to return the carriage 50and the platform 48 to their respective starting positions with no cardand the incorrect amount of money originally deposited by the customerwill be returned to him.

The proper alignment of the plunger I is accomplished by the operationofthe coin controlled mechanism 244, which includes a vertical plate 426disposed in substantial parallelism with the path of travel of thecarriage 6B and mounted on a cross-bar 428 of the section 34. A panel430 is swingably mounted on brackets 432 as at 433, which bracketsextend from a cross-bar 434. This panel 430 is disposed in substantialperpendicular relation to the plate 426. Near the lower portion of thepanel 43!) is a coin chamber 436 disposed in substantial parallelismwith the panel 434 and supported by the cross bar 428.

A conventional coin separator and slug rejector 438 receives coinsinserted by the customer as indicated at 435 in Fig. 1, which isdesigned as is well known in the art, to reject slugs, mutilated coinsand the like and accept good coins. The rejected coins pass into a chute440 to be returned to the customer at the front of the machine as at44!. The good coins are segregated by this separator whereby nickelspass down. a chute 442, dimes down a'chute 444 and quarters fall into achute 446, all of which chutes are in communication with the coinchamber 436 at the open top thereof.

The coin chamber 434 is a polygonal box-like structure and also has anopen bottom. Since the good coins passing thereinto are stacked inedge-to-edge. superimposed relation, the thick ness of the chamber 456is relatively narrow to preclude coins to fall therein in side-by-siderelation and thus become wedged in their respec tive compartments. Thesecompartments in the coin chamber 436 are defined by partitions that formcompartments 448, 458, and 452 for nickels, quarters and dimesrespectively, and into overflow compartments 454 and 455. The chutes442, 446 and 444 communicate respectively with the compartments 448,455] and 452 and the coin chamber 436 communicates at its open bottomwith a chute 456.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, each of the compartments 448 and 459communicates with the overflow compartment 454 while the compartment 452communicates with the overflow compartment 455. The total capacity ofthe compartment 448 is five nickels; any over that amount will overflowinto the compartment 454 to pass into the chute 456. Similarly thecompartment 450 will hold one quarter and the compartment 452 will holdonly two dimes and the overflow from these compartments will pass intothe compartments 454- and 455 respectively to pass downwardly throughchute 456 to the return 44 i.

A bracket 458 mounted on one face of the panel 430 carries a swingablesecondary panel 450, pivotally mounted as at 451 and each of thesepanels 436 and 450 carries a plurality of pins, all of which arenormally perpendicular to each of the panels 430 and 455. These pins aredesigned to strike the coins deposited in the chamber 436, either one ata time or in combinations of two or more at a time, depending on howmany coins are deposited and in what combination.

One of these pins is designated by the numeral 462 and is fixed to thepanel 430, as is a second pin indicated by the numeral 464. The panel450 is slotted at one end thereof to pivotally carry pins 466, 468 and mas at 4' and pins 412 and 414 are pivotally mounted in slots provided inthe opposite end of the panel 469. Each of the pins 456, 458, 410, 4112and 414 pass through and is guided by one of a plurality of openings 413in the panel 430. A pin 416 is fixed to the panel 430, and passesthrough an opening 415 in the 15 panel- 469, while stub pins 478 and 619are fixed directly to the panel 46!].

The pins 462, 48 i, 456, 358 and All} are in vertical alignment anddesigned to pass through five aligned openings formed in the parallelside walls ofthe coin chamber 236, which openings are disposed intransverse relation to the nickel cmpartment 448. A similar opening inthe quarter compartment 558 is disposed to receive the pin 476 and likeopenings in the dime compartment 452 are provided for the pins 412 and414, which latter'two pins are also disposed in vertical alignment. Noopening in the coin chamber 436 is provided for the stub pins M8 and 479which are disposed to strike the inner face of the chamber 436.

It is clear from the above description that when there are no coins inthe chamber @235, the various pins are free to pass into theirrespective openings as the panel 133B swings toward the chamber 436, andwhen a coin is interposed in the path of travel of a pin, that pin willbe stopped from further movement when it strikes the side of the coindeposited.

A main electric switch 48b is mounted on the cross-bar Q28 and is movedto open and closed positions by the movement of an arm 382 pivotallymounted thereon. A spring within the switch 48!] yieldably holds the arm82 in a position to maintain the switch dill? open. This arm 1 482extends below the coin chamber 336 and has three projecting stub pins683, 85 and 38? extending to lie below compartments 4 53, 455i and 452respectively whereby coins deposited into these compartments willnormally be retained therein and not allowed to proceed downwardly intothe chute 456. Thus, any coin deposited in the chamber 63% and fallingon one of the projecting stub pins of the arm $82 will close the switch480.

A bracket-48's extends inwardly from the crossbar 434 to pivotally mounta pair of substantially parallel U-shaped rods 185 and 488 (seeFigs. 2and 18) whichrods pivotally carry an arm #399 on the free ends thereof,and a cam member 432 isfixed to one end of this arm 69%. One leg of therod 388 that is pivotally mounted in the bracket 38% extends through thebracket i8 3 and has an arm lSd fixed thereto. The free endof this arm49c pivctally mounts a rod $95- which extends downwardly to pass throughan opening in an extension IES on the panel 338, to terminate adjacentto one face of the plate 42E, and adapted to strike one of a number of,blocks mounted on the plate 425. These blocks 50s are adjustably mountedin step-like manner in slots provided in the plate 526V and eachcorrespond respectively to 25, 20, 15, 16 and cards as hereinafterexplained.

A spring 582 interconnects the arm 49!) and the bracket 5% to yieldablymove the arm 4963 and the cam member toward the carriage 68. A spring50% on the rod 4% tends to swing the panel lilliv away from the carriage6% which movement is opposed by the arm Q94 coming into contact with anextension 488 on the panel 43?) when. this arm 4% moves upwardly.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, the tubular member H4 that carries theplunger rod me, has a laterally projecting pin 5% fixed thereto near itsopen end, which pin is adapted to come into contact with the cam member492 when the carriage 50 moves into the offset portion 498 and inengagement with the dog H0.

As the carriage 60 moves outwardly, the spring 5G2 causes thecam member492 to move outwardly and upwardly in an arc with the pin 505, whichaction moves the tubular member ll i on its pivotal point I1 5. Theposition to which the member 114 is moved when the pin 5% has moved awayfrom and out of engagement with the cam member 492 is governed by whichof the blocks 5% the free end of the rod 4% comes to rest upon. And,which of the blocks 5% that the rod 486 moves to and comes to rest uponis governed by the distance the panel 436 is permitted to move in adirection to swing the rod 4% by means of the extension Q98.

The diagrammatic illustration of the various stopping points of thepanel 430 is shown in Fig. 17, presently to be explained. But it isclear now that if one nickel for instance, is deposited by the customer,the panel 43% will move to a positicn whereby the free end of the rod49% comes to rest on the lowermost block 5%. This raises the cam member492 to its highest position, which in turn sets the plunger rod llll atits highest position. With the rod Ill] so disposed it will contact aclip H2 positioned over the legend 5 as indicated in Fig. which is alsothe uppermost of the legend numerals as shown.

Fig. 17 illustrates the five different positions to which the panel 436must move to correctly position the rod ist on the proper block 506,which positions correspond to the five differently priced cards and tothe five blocks 50c ranging from the uppermost 25 block to the lowermost5 block.

To clearly understand the diagram used for illustration by Fig. 1'7, itis necessary to keep in mind that the distance that the panel 433 isallowed to swing is the determining factor for the positioning of thetubular member I'M. Thus, since the machine is designed to vend fivegroups of diiferently priced cards, namely 25, 15,

10 and 5:15 cards, the panel 438 must assume five different positionsother than the normal starting position. Since the pivotal point 46Imoves in like manner, the distances respectively which this point 46!will travel are illustrated by reference to points A, B, C, D and E. Inother words, if a card is selected, point GM will move a distanceindicated by the arrowed line in Fig. 17 having the indicia 25 thereon,which line extends between point A and the inner face of. the chamber436. Lines of connection between the free ends of the various pins inthe panels deli and Mill are diagrammatically indicated by dash lines a,b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i and y, it being understood that these lines pivotabout the pivotal point 461 as does the panel 558.

If a nickel card is desired for instance and the customer deposits onenickel, this nickel piece in the bottom of the compartment and restingon the stub 683 will be contacted by the pin 410, and the pin 518 willcontact the inner wall of the chamber 436. ine a passes through point E,the distance between E and the inner wall of the chamber 436 being thedistance which panel 430 will swing from its normal starting position,thus establishing one stopping position of the panel 438. If a 10 cardis desired and two nickels are deposited, then the pin 468 will strikethe second nickel and the line of connection b between the pin 468 willstrike the second nickel and the line of connection 1) between the pin568 and the pin 478 will establish point D. But, if one dime isdeposited for the 10 card, then the pin will contact this dime and lineof connection d between the pin 41,4 and the stub 419 17 striking thechamber 436 will pass throughthis same point D.

If a card is desired, then either the combination of three nickels orone dime and one nickel may be deposited, either of which will establishpoint C in the following manner. If three nickels are deposited in thecompartment 436, the pin 466 will strike the third nickel and line 0will pass through point C. If one dime and one nickel is deposited inthe compartments 452'and 440 respectively, then the pin 410 willcontactjhe nickel and the pin 414 will contact the dime to establishline e between the free ends of the pin 410 and the pin 414 which alsopasses through point C.

A card may be secured by depositing the combinations of four nickels,two dimes, or one dime and two nickels. In case of four nickels, the pin464 will strike the fourth nickel establishing line 7' passing throughpoint B. If two dimes are used, then the pin 412 will strike the seconddime to present line h which also passes through point B. And, if onedime and two nickels are deposited, then the pin 414 will cone tact thedime and the pin 468 will contact the second nickel to establish line jwhich in the same manner passes through point B. Finally, thecombinations for a card are one quarter, five nickels, two dimes and onenickel, and one dime and three nickels. Here too, all lines ofconnection pass through a common point to which the pivotal point 46lwill move. This point is A and is established in the following manner:One dime and three nickels will establish line 9 by the pin 414contacting the dime and the pin 466 contacting the third nickel whichline g passes through point A. The use of five nickels whereby thepin.462 contacts the fifth nickel also sets point A along the same lineg, as does the use of one quarter to be contacted by the pin 416. And,two dimes and one nickel brings the pin 412 in contact with the seconddime and the pin 410 in contact with the nickel to establish line i,which also passes through point A.

ber 5l8 having the free end of one leg thereof bifurcated to connectwith the arm 482 and the other leg pivotally mounted in brackets 520 ona cross-bar 522 of the section 34. An arm 524 is fixed to the free endof the. said other leg of the member 5l8, which arm'524 .is connected toa dash pot structure having a piston 526 pivotally fixed thereto asclearly illustrated in Fig. 18. Downward movement of the piston 526 willswing the member 5l8 to flex the arm 482 and release the coins thereon.a

An air cylinder 528 for the piston'526 is pivotally fixed to one leg ofthe arm 5l6, which arm is pivotally mounted as at. 530 and is yieldablyheld in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 by the spring 532. When thecarriage v60 moves outwardly to move the roller 404 out of contact withthe dog M0, the cylinder 528 will be moved upwardly and a delayed actionon its return downward movement will be established when the carriage 60returns to its normal starting posi- Thus, any combination of coins maybe used to set the entire coin controlled mechanism 204 into operationwhereby the plunger rod I10 is properly set to contact the predeterminedpositioning of the clip I12 according to the price of the card withinits holder 38. I

Once deposited, all coins within the chamber 436 remain therein and holdthe switch 480 closed while the platform 48, the carriage 60 and theassembly 64 are in operation. These coins are released to fall into thechute 456 for deposit in a coin box 508 by the'roller 404 on thecarriage 60 striking the dog 4"], pivotally mounted as at 5!!) to theear 4l2. A spring 5H2 interconecting the dog 410 and the ear M2 ismounted in an offcenter manner with respect to the pivotal point M0 tomaintain the dog M0 in one of two positions depending on whether or notthe roller 404 is in contact therewith. The dog M0 terminates directlyabove one leg of a T-shaped arm 5! 6. Thus, when the roller 404 is outof contact with the dog 4l0, arm 5E6 will be tilted counter-clockwise(Fig 2). As the carriage 60 returns to its starting position, roller 404moves into engagement with the dog 410 to raise it from the arm 5I6whereby a spring 532 causes this arm 5'6 to pivot as at 530. r

The arm 482 is of resilient material to permit transverse movementthereof to release coins thereon into the chute 456 by an L-shapedmemtion and the dog M0 is raised from the arm 5l6 so as to allow thecoins to have sufiicient time to pass into the coin box 508 before thearm 432 again moves into position to stop coins for the next operationof the machine.

A spring 533 shown in Figil8 moves the member 5l8 back into position toallow the arm 482 to return to its normal non-flexed position after thecylinder reaches the end of its downward path of travel. r

A gate 534, pivotally mounted in the chute 456 is normally disposed toallow coins that pass from the chamber 436 to return to the customer bypassing into the chute 440. If the customer desires the coins to bereturned, he merely presses inwardly on a rod 536 connected to the arm5; and the gate 534 will be in its normal position to permit suchreturn. It is also notable that one leg of the arm 5; engages the coinselector assembly 438 to clear any coins or slugs that may be lodgedtherein.

' This gate 534 also remains in this position when the card holder 38 isempty to return the coins to the customer because this gate 534 isactuated only when a card falls on the tray 84. A solenoid 538, havingits core fixed to the gate 534 is energized by the closing of a mercuryswitch 540 on the tray 84; Plate 549 is pivotally mounted as at 550 towalls 80 and 82 and pivotally carries tray 84 on its free end. When acard drops on tray 84 to close switch 540, solenoid 538 is energized tomove gate 534 away from an opening 544 in the chute 456, which openingis directly above coin box 508.

An extension 548 on the plate 548 comes into I contact with theear 4I2as the carriage 60 returns to its starting position causing the tiltingoftray 84 to dump the card into an opening 552 in the section 32,whereupon the card tray falls by gravity into a chute 554 accessible tothe customer.

This dumping action open the switch 540 causing the de-energization ofvthe solenoid 538. At the same time the coins resting on the arm 482 willbe released to fall into the chute 456 to pass through the opening 544.In order to maintain the gate 534 open for a sufficient time to permitthe coins toenter the opening 544, a relatively heavy retarding wheel546 is fixed to the pivot pin for gate 534 to create a delayedclosingacestates 19 through the medium of a rod 558 interconnect-, ing theplate 549 and the guard 556 as is clear in Fig. 7. I II I I As the arm88 moves outwardly and downwardly from the basket 18, a pairof fingers566 on across-bar 562 fixed to, the free end of the stretch I68 thereof,is moved above thecards in one of the holders 38. The angle ofinclination of the holders 38 is substantially the same as that of theslot 86 when the basket 18 is swung toward and is in contact with aholder, And, the stretch I68 of the arm .88 is maintained at that sameangle of inclinationby the tip I66 of the spring I64 riding. along thelower edge of the slot 86. When this tip I66 strikes the lowermost endof the slot 86,1the spring I64 is forced outwardly therefrom, permittingthe arm 88 to tall downwardly through the action of its pivot in theblock I62, whereby the fingers ,566 ,fall on the top card in a holder38. This changes the angle of inclination of the stretch I68 and as thearm 88 is snapped back because of the roller I32 slipping off the cam.92, a card is pulled from its holder and thrown into the basket 18 tolight on the tray 84. I I

Cross-bar 562 extends beyond the fingers 566 as shown in Fig. 9 to comein, contact with the framework of holder 38 when all cards have beenremoved-therefrom. This contact closes an electrical circuit to energizea sold out light as hereinafter morefully explained.

The fingers 566 are of resilient material and provided along, theirlower faces with frictionable material such .as emery cloth or the liketo provide a positive engaging surface on the cards 42. A leaf spring563 fixed to the wall 86 adjacent the upper end of the slot 86 forcesthe tip I66 back into the slot 86 on the return upward movement of thespring I64.

A chute 564 is provided for pennies in States requiring tax on suchitems as cards, and an assembly is provided which also prevents thedeliveryof cards to the customer. when no penny is deposited. An L-shaped crank 5661s pivoted to theplate 426 and is flanged to receive a.Flu-I rality of rods 568, each of which is connected to one of theblocks 566. When a penny is thus required, the blocks 566 are not fixedto the plate 426 but mounted to slide within slots 516 provided in theplate 426, through the medium of screws 512 having bushings 514 disposedwithinthe slots 516, I I I I I A pin 516 projects from one edge ofthemem-. ber I8 and is disposed transversely through the chute 564 toretainthe penny dropped therein and a projection 518 on the crank is inposition to contact the penny within the chute 564 as the penny isresting on the pin 516. Thus, the penny holds the blocks 566 in positionto retain the rod 496. But, ifthere is no penny, the blocks 566 are freeto move downwardly whereby the rod 496 will move downwardly so that theplung er rod I16 willcontact no clip and the customer receives no card.Obviously, any number of the blocks 566 or all may be released to slidein the II slots 516 in the plate 426 depending on which priced cardrequiresa penny tax. A spring 586 causes the projection516 to releasethe penny when the rod 496 moves away. from the blocks 566, and as themember 5I8 moves to release coins on the arm 48 2.the penny will fallfrom the pin 516 to pass into the chute 456. I

The sequence of mechanical operations. just 20 these electrical" actionsor the mac ine m y be; understood by reference to Ei g QQ schematicalIyillustrating the electrical circuit forming apart of the equipment. I II II The machine is constructed to operate from' commercial power linesby being plug ed into a conventional outlet,' not herev shown. Inasmuchas many of the electrical elements are carrie;d"

. by movable parts. of the machine; it is necessary abovedescribed, isaccom aniedby electrical op,-

erations in addition to those mentioned. All of to reduce the voltagefor those circuits to,cor'nply with the wiring co de s. A conventionaltrans; former 666 is, therefore, .employed to establish a secondarycircuit of lower voltage, I I I In operation, the first acti or i o nthepart oi the customer is to make asel'ection oi the card des re fby mvin o e efth l t 216 tea 9*; posit on as ab d se i N xt lieer s, theproper ain unt of m ney in the .form o ff coinsf a e d a o the de isn edpriee a nea ins. 9n the. cs m o h a d .des ea. Wlue eed simile ismounted on the select'e d plate IZI 6. The

ei s a epo i w l 0. Switch .436; b tth; omp e circuit fe ne i n he.m?.4. i not closed until the customer performs the third sea--1. th actat n the u h. ut eh adjace t the raw. o plates. .1.9 i m h eh, the.selection was made, whereupon the second main switch 2l'a8 is c losed. II h on acts ierm s per e th ewi hlfit wh ch a 'e. u .,e seel are. lust ae 1. F 20hr. 1e. m r $,..6 hemm d he el eir p' he swi l-bri s. esethehe-eent e e 66B and eea. .A thre -Pele re ay, desi na ed as efconventional character hasthree contact fingers o ta t e ea lites. doe tfinger min; iea e thenume als. 6.26am 6 A single nt e is' f rmed.enthefi fi k I l-The 901 5 8.? we or fin er in id. we 625. t in e y aren r ell C os d as are h t i 5 ,e. fine J IZ an a. .eentaet fizliu hin te rR r l. ee um a ewthtt the eee t ar le d epi et th Wit hes 258 and 486have been closed as above deIser ibe c l; the circuit to actuatethemotor I24 through the relay RI is trace'd as follows: I I

From powerline 636, through contacts 664 and 662, Wire 632, contacts 666and 668, wires 634 and 636, motor armature 64I, wire 638, finger 6I6',contacts 6I8 and 62:6, wires 646 and 642, motor field 643, Wires 645 and644, contacts 628 and 622, finger 6I2, wires 646 and 648 to power lines616. When thecycle of operation of the machine I reaches a, stage wherea card 42 has been withdrawn from its compartment 38 and deposited onthe tray 94, switch I68 isfciosd as above set down, to reversethernotorI24. The cent'acts of this switch use which are thu closed are des i nteqmriigao by the numera s m and Gi l. Since switch I66 moves with thecarriage 66, it is located in the secondary circuitwhich energized uponthe energization of they trans former 666, and thiscircuit is traced asfollows; From power line636 through contacts 664 and 662, wire 632,contacts 666 and 668, wires 634 and 618, transformer 666, wires 686 and648 to power line616. I I

With the secondary circuit thus energized and the contacts 612 and614 ofswitch I96 closed, the relay RI is closed or sealed in bytheenergization of its coil 616 through the following 690, coil 6.16 ofrelay R-I, wires'6-92 and694 to transformer 600.

.'With relay RI thus closed or sealed in, fingers 6I0, BIZ and H4 areactuated magnetically by energization of coil 616 to close contacts 6I6and 108, contacts 620 and 102 and contacts 624 and .698 respectively.The motor field 643 is therefore, reversed with respect to the armatureof; motor I24 whereby the direction of rotation of the'latter isreversed, and this circuit is traced as follows:

From power line 610 through wires 648 and 646, finger 6I2, closedcontacts 620 and 102, wires 104 and 642, motor field 643, wire 10 6,closed contacts 108 and 6I6, finger 6I0, wire 638, motor armature 64 I,wires 63-6 and 634, closed contacts 608 and 606, wire 632, and closedcontacts 602 and 604 to power line 630. 3 As hereinbefore described,when carriage 60 approaches its starting position, the pin I82 on switchI90 contacts the camblock I I to actuate the switch I99 for againreversing the motor I24 to its original direction of travel. However atthis point in the cycle of operation, the motor I24 must not be reversedinasmuch as the instant cycle has not been completed. When relay R-I isclosed, switch I90 is bypassed as follows:

From transformer 600, through wires 682, 664 and 696, closed contacts698 and 624 of relay R,I, finger '6I4, wires 100 and 690, coil 616,wires 692 and 694 to transformer 600.

When push button 248 is actuated by the customer to close switch 258 andthereby energizing the primary circuit after switch 480 has been closedby the coins, solenoid 260 is energized to maintain rod 252 in an upwardposition and adjacent to shoulder 264 whereby handle 246 is held in itsmoved position near frame member 222. The circuit which energizessolenoid 260 is traced as follows: 7

. Frompower line 610, through wire I I 0, solenoid 260, wires H2 and634, closed contacts 608 and 606, wire 632, closed contacts 602 and 604to power line 630.

Assuming the secondary circuit to be closed as set down above, theclosing of one of the switches 3I8 upon actuation of a push button 248and swinging movement of arm 288 will energize the correspondingsolenoid 332. Two of these solenoid-switch combinations only areillustrated in Fig. 20. It is necessary to trace the circuit of only oneand assuming contacts 1 I 4 and I I 6 of a switch 3I'8 to be closed,this circuit is traced as follows:

- From transformer 600, through wires 694, H8 and 120, solenoid 332,wire 124, closed contacts H4 and H6 of switch 3I'8, wires 12 6, 128, 130 and 682 to transformer 600.

Switch 540 on tray 84 is closed to energize solenoid 538 and therebyopen gate 534 upon the landing of a card 42 on the tray '84 to permitcoins falling into box 508 as above set down. This circuit is traced asfollows: From transformer 600, through wires 694, H8, 132, 134 and 136,solenoid 538, wire 138, closed contacts 140 and 142 of switch 540, wires144, 146, 148, 128, 130 and 682 to transformer 600.

When a plate 2I0 is selected from the lowermost zone of display cards atthe front of the machine whereby it becomes necessary to release trigger324 so that the assembly 64 will rotate 180 degrees to remove a card 42from the opposed wall of holders 38, switch 3I6 is closed to enerizesolenoid 320. This circuit is traced as follows:

From transformer 600, through wires694, H8,

22 132, 134, 150, and 152, solenoid 320, wire 154,

closed contacts 156 and 158 of switch 3I6, wires :60, 162, 146, 148,128, 130 and 682, to transformer When the holder 38 designed to containa card. selected by the customer is empty, the sold out indication isilluminated by an incandescent lamp. This lamp is energized whencross-bar 562 comes into contact with holder 38 establishing a closedcircuit through the medium of the grounding of holder 38 with the frameto which it is fixed, but insulated therefrom. Cross-bar 562 and holder38 are illustrated in Fig. 20 as contacts, which whenclosed, form acircuit for energizing lamp 56I as follows:

From lead line 164 in communication with the secondary circuit, throughwire 112, lamp 56I, wires 116 and 118, closed contacts 30 and 562 tocarriage 60, illustrated in Fig. 20 as conductor 182 to the framework ofthe cabinet illustrated as ground 184 and 185.

Since cross-bar 562 engages holder 38 only momentarily, a by-pass isprovided through relay R- 2 to maintain lamp 56I in a lighted conditionuntil all current is cut off to insure that the customer notices thathis chosen card is sold out. This relay R-2 comprises a coil 168energized when contacts 562 and 38 are closed and contacts 186 and 188are thereby closed upon energization of coil 168. i

The circuit for energizing coil 168 is traced as follows:

From lead line 164, through wire 166, coil 168, wires and 118, closedcontacts 38 and 562, conductor 182 to ground 184.

Assuming contacts 186 and 188 of relay R-2 to be closed, the by-passedcircuit for maintaining lamp 56I energized after contacts 38 and 562 areopened, is traced as follows:

From lead line 164, through wire 112, lamp 56I, wires 116, 118 and 190,closed contacts 188 and 186, wire 192, to ground 184.

A completed cycle of operation of this machine has been progressivelyset forth in the foregoing description of the component parts, and it isbelieved that such operation will become readily understandable by thoseskilled in the art. While it has been contemplated that this inventionbe used for vending greeting cards, it has been found that envelopes ofthe size usually associated with such cards can be vended simultaneouslywith each card by inserting the card therein or mere- 13 placing thecard beneath the flap of the envelope before stacking the same inrespective holders in the cabinet of the machine.

It is, therefore, understood that with no more alteration than therelative size of certain parts of the machine, virtually any planarobject can be accommodated by the apparatus forming a part of thisinvention.

Obviously, many advantages will arise from the employment of a machinehaving this invention employed therein, and while a large number ofimportant features have herein been set down and many others have becomeapparent throughout this specification, it will be understood that thosemade possible by the invention are contemplated hereby.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

positing the same into said discharge opening; structure having manuallymanipulable' parts for s'ele'citing the holder from which a card is tobe removed; and means interconnecting said struc ture and said mechanismfor controlling the operation of the latter; said mechanism including avertically reciprocable platform, a carriage re c'iproc'ablehorizontally on said platform, and a card removing assembly on thecarriage.

2. In a vending machine for greeting cards; a cabinet having a dischargeopening; a plurality of card holders in the cabinet; mechanism forremoving a card from a selected holder and depositing the same into saiddischarge opening; structure having manually manipulable' parts forselecting the holder from which a card is to be removed; and meansinterconnecting said structure and said mechanism for controlling the013- eration of the latter, said card holders being arranged in verticalseries, which series are disposed in side-by-side relationship, thecorrespondingly positioned holders of each series bein in commonhorizontal rows, said mechanism having a vertically reciprocableplatform and a carriage reciprocabl-e horizontally on said platform,said platform and said carriage being movable to and from a position insubstantial alignment withthe row and the series respectively containingthe said selected holder.

3. In a card vending machine of the character described having aplurality of holders for vendible cards, means for removing said cardsone at a time from a selected holder comprising an arm reciprocable toand from a card engaging position in said selected holder; means onsaidarm for dragging a card from its holder as the arm is moved therefrom; arotatable cam member; structure responsive to the rotation of said cammember for reciprocating said arm; and a basket having a diagonallydisposed slot formed in one side thereof, said arm being guided by saidslot downwardly and outwardly from said basket as it moves toward theholder;

4; In a card vending machine of the character described having aplurality of holders for vendible cards, means for removing said cardsone at a time from a selected holder comprising an arm reoiprocable toand from a card engaging posi tion in said selected holder; means onsaid arm for dragging a card from its holder as the arm is movedtherefrom; a rotatable cam member; a basket having a slot formed in oneside thereof; a block slidable in said slot, said arm being pivotallymounted in the block; structure responsive to the rotation of said cammember for impart-'- ing sliding movement to said block to reciprocatesaid arm; a releasable spring for holding said arm against rotation; andmeans for releasing said spring when the arm is in the holder forpermitting movement of the arm by gravity into engagement with a card insaid holder.

5. In a card vending machine of the character described having aplurality of holders for vendible cards, means for removing said cardsone at a time from a selected holder comprising an arm reciprocable toand from a card engag= ing position in said selected holder; 'means onsaid arm for dragging a card from its holder as the arm is movedtherefrom; a rotatable cam member; and structure responsive to the rotation of said cam member for reciprocating said arm; said structureincluding a spring loaded plunger, having a roller on one end thereof,said cam member being a spiral-1y formed rod in engagement withsaidroller. for moving the plunger all 2'4? agaihst'tne action-ofsaidspring as the said: cam member is rotated.

m a card vending machine of the character described having a pluralityof holders for vendible cards, means for removing said cards one at atime from a selected holder comprising an arm reciprocable to and from acard engage in'g' position in saidselected holder; means:v on said armfor dragging a card from its holder as the arm is" moved therefrom; arotatable cam member; and structure responsive to the rotation ofsaidcam member for reciprocating said arm; said str'i'icture includingaspring loaded plunger; having a roller on one end thereof, said cammember being a spirally formed rod in engage ment with said roller formoving the Plunger against the action of said spring as the said cam.member is rotated, the ends of said. cambeing joined by a membersubstantially parallel to said 1 plunger for guiding the roller as itslips fromdescribed having at least one holder for said.

cards, a'basket swingable to and from engage ment with said holder; areciprocable arm rotatably mounted in said basket; a rotatable cammember; means responsive to the rotation of said cammember for swingingsaid basket and moving one end of said arm into the holder, said end ofthe arm having frictionable material fixed thereto; means automaticallyreleasable as said end of the arm moves into the holder for holding thearm against rotation whereby the said end falls by the action of gravityon the uppermost card in the holder; and means responsive to thecontinued rotation of said cam member for snapping the arm to itsstarting position in the basket whereby said card is dragged from itsholder and dropped in the basket through the medium of engagement of thecard by said frictionable material;

8. In a card vending machine of the character described having aplurality of card holders mounted on the innermost faces of opposedWalls, a rotatable basket disposed between said holders; means forshifting said basket to and from a selecte'd holder on either of saidwalls; mechanism on said basket for removing a card from said se--lected holder and depositing the same in the basketj a releasabletrigger for holding the basket against rotation when the selected holderis on one of said Walls; means for rotating said basket to a cardremoving position when the selected holder is on the other of saidwalls; and means for releasing said trigger to permit such rotation 9.In a card vending machine of the character described having a pluralityof card holders mounted on the innermost faces of opposed walls; arotatable basket disposed between said holders; means for shifting saidbasket to and from a selected holder on either of said walls; mechanismon said basket for removing a card from said selected holder anddepositing the same in the basket; a releasable trigger for holding thebasket against rotation when the selected holder is on one of saidWall-s; means for rotating said basket to a card removing position whenthe selected holder is on the other of said walls; means for releasingsaid trigger to permit such rotation; and a selector assembly, havingmanually ma.- nipulable parts for controlling the operation of saidbasket shifting means, said assembly having attests means operable uponmanipulation o f c ertain of said parts for energizing said actuatingmeans.

10. In a card vending machine of the character described having aplurality of holders for position in alignment with said selectedholder,

means for controlling the movement of said platform comprising aplurality of stop means, each movable to and from a position in the pathof travel of the platform; means responsive to the movement of saidplatform for actuating said stop means; and structure having manuallymanipulable parts for controlling the movement of said stop means.

11. In a card vending machine of the character described having aplurality of holders for vendible cards, mechanism for removing saidcards one at a time from selected holders, and

means including a reciprocable platform for shifting said mechanism toand from an operative position in alignment with said selected holder,means for controlling the movement of said platform comprising aplurality of stop means, each movable to and from a position in the pathof travel of the platform, said stop means comprising a rotatable columnhaving a plurality of lug'members disposed spirally thereon; meansresponsive to the movement of said platform for rotating said column;and structure having manually manipulable parts for controlling therotation of said column whereby a selected lug member is disposed in thepath of travel of the platform.

12. In a card vending machine of the character described having aplurality of holders for vendible cards, mechanism for removing saidcards one at a time from selected holders, and

means including a reciprocable platform for shifting said mechanism toand from an operative position in alignment with said selected holder,means for controlling the movement of said platform comprising aplurality of stop means, each movable to and from a position in the pathof travel of the platform, said stop means comprising a rotatable columnhaving a plurality of lu members disposed spirally thereon; meansresponsive to the movement of said pIatform for rotating said column;and structure having manually manipulable parts for controlling therotation of said column whereby a selected lug member is disposed in thepath of travel of the platform, said parts including a number of swinable plates corresponding one each to one of said lugs, said structurehaving an arm swingable upon rotation of said column and controlled byany one of said plates when swung to a predetermined position.

13. In aflcard vending machine of the character described, a pluralityof holders for vendible cards; mechanism for removing said cards one ata time from selected holders; means including a reciprocable carriagefor shifting said mechanism to and from an operative position inalignment with said selected holder; and means for controlling themovement of said carriage comprising a plurality of stop means, eachmovable to and from a position in the path of travel of the carriage,electrically operable actuating means for each stop means respectively,and

structure having manually manipulable means for initiating energizationof a selected one of said actuating means.

. H l *26 V 14. In a card vending machine of the character described, aplurality of holders for vendible cards; mechanism for removing saidcards one at a time from selected holders; means including areciprocable carriage for shifting said mechanism to and from anoperative position in alignment with said selected holder; and meansfor'controlling the movement of said carriage comprising a plurality ofstop means, each movable to and from a position in the path of travel'of the carriage, electrically'operable actuating means for each stopmeans respectively, and

for initiating energization of a selected one of said actuating means,said holders being arranged in vertical side-by-side series, said stopmeans being disposed to prevent movement of the carriage beyond theseries including. the said selected holder.

15. In a card vending machine of the character described, a plurality ofholders for vendible cards; mechanism for removing said cards one at atime from selected holders; means including a reciprocable carriage forshifting said mechanism to and from an operative position in alignmentwith said selected holder; and means for controlling the movement ofsaid carriage comprising a plurality of stop means, each movable to andfrom a position in the path of travel of the carriage, electricallyoperable actuating means for each stop means respectively, and structurehaving manually manipulable means for initiating energization of aselected one of said actuating means, said holders being arranged invertical side-by-side series, said stop means being disposed to preventmovement of the carriage beyond the series including the said selectedholder, said structure including a number of electric switches forclosing a circuit through each of said actuating, means respectively,and a reciprocable bar for each switch respectively for actuating thesame. I w

16. Ina card vending machine of the character described havingareciprocable platform and a carriage reciprocable on the platform forshifting parts of the vending mechanism to and from a number ofoperative positions, means for controlling the movement of said platformand means for controlling the movement of said carriage comprising aplurality of stop'means for said platform and for said carriagerespectively; apparatus responsive to the movement of said platform foractuating the stop means therefor; actuating means for the stop meansfor said carriage; and structure having manually manipulable parts forcontrolling the operation of said apparatus and said actuating meansrespectively whereby said parts are shifted to and from selectedoperative positions when said machine is placed in operation.

17. In a card vending machine of the character described having at leastone holder for vendible cards, mechanism for removing cards one at atime from'said holder; a rotatable cam member for operating saidmechanism; a vertically reciprocable platform and a carriagereciprocable horizontally on said platform for shifting said mechanismto and from an operative position in alignment with the holder, saidmechanism and

